The challenges of obesity for fertility: A FIGO literature review

Divya Gautam; Nikhil Purandare; Cynthia V Maxwell; Mary L Rosser; Patrick O'Brien; Edgar Mocanu; Ciaran McKeown; Jaideep Malhotra; Fionnuala M McAuliffe; FIGO Committee on Impact of Pregnancy on Long-term Health and the FIGO Committee on Reproductive Medicine, Endocrinology and Infertility

doi:10.1002/ijgo.14538

The challenges of obesity for fertility: A FIGO literature review

Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2023 Jan;160 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):50-55. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.14538.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Galway, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
² Maternal Fetal Medicine, Sinai Health and Women's College Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
³ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
⁴ Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.
⁵ RCSI Department of Reproductive Medicine, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
⁶ Malhotra Nursing and Maternity Home, Agra, India.
⁷ Rainbow Hospital, Agra, India.
⁸ UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.

Abstract

Obesity has been linked to infertility through several mechanisms, including at a molecular level. Those living with obesity face additional barriers to accessing fertility treatments and achieving a successful pregnancy, which can contribute to their economic and psychosocial stressors. There is scope to further improve care for people living with obesity and infertility with empathy, via a multidisciplinary approach.

Keywords: adipokines; barriers to fertility treatments; childlessness; infertility; obesity; obesity and social stigma.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Female
Fertility*
Humans
Infertility* / etiology
Infertility* / psychology
Infertility* / therapy
Obesity / complications
Obesity / therapy
Pregnancy
Reproductive Techniques, Assisted